The Israeli Air Force made headlines when it launched an attack on crucial Houthi infrastructure in Yemen on July 20. Just 48 hours before this mission, a group of teens from CTeen visited the Ramon Airbase in southern Israel to install mezuzahs.
A high-security airbase, it is difficult to visit. “The bus driver didn’t believe they were going to let us in until it actually happened,” recounted Shneur Elberg, a counselor on the trip. Working with Tzvi Rappaport, who has installed more than 3,600 mezuzahs for the Israel Defense Forces since the war with Hamas in Gaza began in October, they were able to arrange the visit, complete with security checks.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson—launched the mezuzah campaign in 1974, shortly after the Ma’alot massacre, when terrorists infiltrated Israel from Yemen, killing 26 Jews. “The Rebbe emphasized the unique properties of a mezuzah to protect, especially for soldiers in the IDF,” said Rappaport. “The teens extended this protection to these soldiers just in time for their mission to Yemen, of all places.”
Outside the base, the group met with Rabbi Tzvi Slonim, Chabad-Lubavitch emissary to the nearby town of Mitzpe Ramon. Expressing his gratitude to the group for supporting the soldiers in this challenging time, the Air Base chaplain explained that a significant amount of Israel’s military planes are looked after on this base. While staying alert for attacks on all borders, the base is a tense workplace, and the rare visits mean a lot to the soldiers.
The teens were guided around the base, and everyone was given a chance to proclaim the blessing and affix a mezuzah. More than 100 mezuzahs were installed as teens, counselors and even the soldiers had the opportunity to do the mitzvah. “These soldiers and mechanics are working nonstop to protect our people, and being able to help them even in a small way was a special experience,” said Shai Freidman, 16, who joined CTeen’s Mission to Israel from Kansas.
The group sang and danced with the soldiers, bringing joy to a serious place. “Having mezuzahs on every door will remind the soldiers that they’re Jewish, and doing Hashem’s holy work protecting their fellow Jews,” said Alex Elfenbein, 17, a CTeen leader from Maryland.
“This year’s mission aimed to show these young leaders that they don’t need to wait to make a difference,” stated Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of Merkos 302. “In the midst of conflict, they took the initiative and brought protection through mezuzahs, showing that Torah and mitzvot are more relevant and powerful than ever.”
As the CTeen delegation moved on to its next activity, the soldiers returned to protecting their land, preparing for a critical mission in the war against terror. Less than 48 hours later, fighter jets took off from the airbase headed towards Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah, targeting critical Houthi infrastructure such as power stations, and gas and oil depots.
The mission—one of the farthest and longest-range attacks ever coordinated by the Israeli Air Force—was conducted in broad daylight. Miraculously, no one was harmed.
“It was so powerful to visit the base at such a crucial time and be Hashem’s messengers to affix mezuzahs,” said Elberg. “Adding in mitzvot has a spiritual effect on the safety of Jewish people in Israel, and no doubt these mezuzahs had an impact.”
